The Celtics defeated the 76ers in a showdown of Eastern Conference powerhouses, 112-109. Gordon Hayward hit six of seven shots from beyond the arc to lead the team with 26 points off the bench.

And the Bruins managed six goals without an injured David Pastrnak. Boston topped the Blackhawks, 6-3.

Kevin Garnett marveled at the Celtics’ new practice facility: When Kevin Garnett was with the Celtics, the team was still in its old practice facility in Waltham. But that changed in the past year when the team moved to the brand new, 70,000-foot Auerbach Center at New Balance World Headquarters in Brighton.

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Garnett invited cameras to follow him around as he toured the pristine center for the first time.

“This is fire,” Garnett said upon entering, also saying that it was a “bit overwhelming.”

“Regardless of the walls, there’s always a presence within these walls,” said Garnett. “Whenever you come in here, and go to the game tonight, watch it. You’re going to feel the presence of the franchise in there. This is what’s special about Boston.”

"There's always a presence within these walls." ☘️

KG heads back to Boston to check in with the Celtics and watch as another classic is added to the Lakers/Celtics rivalry. pic.twitter.com/C7L16ze7w0

How the Patriots scout quarterbacks: Eventually – though who knows when – the Patriots actually will have to replace Tom Brady. Planning ahead on that means scouting quarterbacks now. How Bill Belichick’s staff goes about that process can be fascinating. Former Patriots assistant Jerry Schuplinski recently sat down with Andrew Callahan to describe how New England scouts quarterbacks. [MassLive]

Assessing Patriots’ free agents: The Patriots have several decisions to make in the offseason. Not only does the team have to replace multiple coaches, but also potentially several veteran players. Free agency could mean familiar faces depart from New England. [ESPN]

An update from Red Sox spring training:

Mookie Betts has arrived at #RedSox camp. So they should be pretty good this year.

On this day: In 1994, Alaskan-born Tommy Moe won the gold medal in men’s downhill at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. He upset local favorite Kjetil André Aamodt by 0.04 seconds (a margin of victory that measures to be less than the length of a ski).

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In 2011, a vintage cross from David Beckham found the right foot of a debatably onside Darius Vassell, allowing England to tie a friendly against the Netherlands.